Washing-machine



(No Model.)

D. E. MERRILL & W. T. FALOONER.

WASHING MACHINE.

No. 438,081. Y I Patented Oct. '7, 1890.

without materially adding to the cost of conthe sides, so as to afford a most efficient rub- UNITED STATES 'ATENT rricn.

DAVID E. MERRILL ANDYVILLIAM T. FALCONER, OF J AMESTOVVN NEWV YORK.

WASHING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 438,081, dated October 7, 1890.

Application filed January 23, 1 8 90.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it kn own that we, DAVID E. MERRILL and WILLIAM T. FALCONER, citizens of the United States, residing at Jamestown, in the county of Chautauqua and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in WVashing-Machines; and We do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in washing-machines, and has for its object to increase the efficiency of the same struction; and to such ends the invention con sists in the construction and combination of parts hereinafter particularly described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a parthereof.

Figure 1 is a perspective of the washing machine in a tilted position. Fig. 2 is a crosssection in perspective with parts omitted. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective of shelf-supporting bracket. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of shelf and bracket and portion of side of tub. Fig. 5 is a perspective of rubbing-rack.

In the drawings, the letter A designates the body or box of the machine, provided with the removable top B, which carries the revolving rubber O, which will be revolved by a system of gears of well-known construction. The interior of the box has a corrugated bottom D and sides E E, two of the sides preferably having the upright grooved or corrugated strips or blocks F, so as to leave spaces between them, whereby a better rubbing action is obtained. The sides of the box, preferably the sides having the strips or blocks F, are provided with racks G, set up against hing-surface. These racks are composed of an upper and a lower bar H, connected together by upright rounds I, whose lower ends extend through the lower bar, so as to form a series of pegs or legs which support the rack throughout its entire width upon the bottom of the box and brace and strengthen the lower bar,

Serial No. 837,809. (No model.)

and also hold the bar up above the bottom of the box, so that the water can circulate under the bar and around the rods. These extending ends also constitute rubbing-surfaces under the bar. By such construction a better rubbing-surface is formed and the interior of the box is kept cleaner. The face of the rack next to the central portion of the box is curved, being made so preferably by curving the faces or edges of the bars from a point near each end and setting the rounds in the bars on a curve, as illustrated. Such construction not only affords a larger rubbing surface, but causes the clothes to be borne against the same in a position calculated to press the rack to its place rather than to draw it away therefrom.

One end of the cross-bars H is rounded or curved, as shown at O, so-that the rack can be swung around to bring it into position to be lifted from the tub, and at the same side of the tub grooves or slots P are formed in the inner face of the side piece E of the tub or box forthe ends of the cross-bars next thereto to enter when the rack is being inserted or removed. These grooves are so located that when the rack is in its working position the cross-bars will lie below the grooves, and the ends being then back of the corrugated sides E E in the space to the rear thereof the rack cannot be accidentally displaced.

The corrugated sides E E are illustrated as composed of separate pieces set inside the tub, which, however, is only for convenience in making and not essential. These side pieces terminate to form a recess between their ends and the adjacent end of the box for the rack to fit in. The rack being removable can be easily and quickly taken outof the box, so as to increase the interior diameter of the boxfrom the same down into the box. This shelf is formed of brackets K, having downwardlyextending arms L to fit into sockets M, with which the box is provided, and with lips or fingers L, extending down and adapted to fit or bear against the outside wall of the box, and thus constitute a brace to strengthen the parts and the connection of the brackets to the box. The brackets support a board or plate N, extending from one to the other and having a corrugated upper surface. This I board or plate constitutes the top of the shelf, and may be made of metal, wood, or other suitable material and made in a single piece, or made up of end pieces with the central or main portion secured thereto. The shelf affords a rest or support for the clothes while the same are being soaped, and also a hand rubbing-board for such articles as need handrubbing. The shelf is readily applied and detached when and as required or desired.

We have described the upright rounds of the rack as extending below the lower crossbar, and we very much prefer that construction, as the several advantages set forth are obtained thereby; but still that feature might be omitted Without omitting the other features described or without departing from the invention involved in the other features of novelty.

Having described our invention and set forth its merits, what we claim is-- 1. The combination, with the body of the washing-machine, having side pieces E E, terminating to form a recess between their ends and the adjacent end of the box for a removble rack to fit in, of the removable rack composed of the series of rods connected together at the top and bottom by cross-bars having one end curved or rounded to permit said rack to be inserted in and removed from said recess by swinging one end into or out of position, said side pieces serving to hold the rack in position when it is inserted in said recess, and one of them provided with notches P to permit the rack to be turned, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. In a washing-machine, the combination, with the box having the grooves formed, substantially as described, in the inner face of the side piece E thereof, of the removable rack composed of the upright rods connected together by the transverse bars and fitted to the box with the transverse bars below the grooves in the said side piece E, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. The combination, with the box of the washing-machine, having sockets M, of the detachable shelf having brackets formed with bifurcated ends, one arm of which will fit in said sockets and the other bear against the outside of the box to form a brace and support, said shelf being supported by the brackets, substantially as shown, to permit the top to be raised and lowered without removing the shelf, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

DAVID E. MERRILL. WILLIAM T. FALCONER.

WVitnesses:

O. M. Dow, S. J. GILES. 

